The Wood Carver: A Sony FS5 mini documentary

There is a small glitch in the video that is down to YT encoding. I asked if I could replace it. They said no, re-upload which I didn't want to do.
Super in depth blog post here that will answer all your questions here: philipbloom.net...
It has been too long since I posted one of my mini documentaries. The last one was all the way back in April. That is why it is great to be able to share one more before the year ends.
This mini documentary was part of a commission from Sony to promote their new camera, the PXW-FS5. They wanted me to make a film using their camera that would highlight many of it's features. The content of the film, this mini documentary was what I decided to make as I really wanted to tell a story rather than just shoot some pretty pictures as it would be far more engaging.
The first part of this video is a little intro about me and the camera. The interesting part is the mini documentary that starts a third of the way through featuring artist Nick Johnson. Although there are some lovely pics in the intro plus some good BTS of the actual shoot (tthanks to Julian Wakefield of Teralon who shot that, he used the Sony FS7 and A7R II)
Please read my blog post all about this for info on the concept, my pre-production, the shoot including my approach to the interview, the lighting, lenses, audio and high frame rate filming. There is also info there about the grading and why I have raised the black levels in much of my recent work. If you don't like my grading here that's fine. This is how I chose to make it look and my blog post explains why. There is no right or wrong when it comes to things like this. It is purely artistic choice.
There is something about this mini doco and Nick that really resonates with me. So much of what he said connected with me. I will hopefully one day do a longer cut without the restrictions I had to stick to.
You can find the super in depth blog post here: wp.me/s6isAi-fs...
Graded with FilmConvert 10% off with code "bloom" or directly via this link gopb.co/filmcon...
Music from Music Bed gopb.co/musicbed Jordan Critz "Polaris" A. Taylor "Flutter"
Subtitles in English for the hard of hearing and also in French, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish and Korean. Thanks to Adam Loretz of Loretz Visuals for this. Loretz.co.uk

[@burningbum]

Came here for the camera review, stayed for the story. Beautiful.

[@philipbloom]

+Ady B cheers! not sure what review you mean but thanks anyway!

[@burningbum]

+Philip Bloom Your take on the FS5.

[@jeffschaap]

8 years on I still return to watching this film. Beautiful. Exceptionally shot and edited.

[@philipbloom]

thank you!

[@JackLeighFilms]

Quite an incredibly told story. Felt almost an emotional connection to Mr. Johnson and his brilliant work. As usual, the cinematography was fantastic and I really loved the color grading. Great mini-documentary Philip.

[@elams1894]

3:14 "I once made a duck in 10 days, and I'm not very happy about it". Perhaps the greatest thing I've heard anyone say. Subbed.

[@Dansg08]

Will miss the reviews, but it's always great to see new content from you. Always a pleasure to watch and read the in-depth blog posts :)

[@aeropxs]

You've got a real gift for finding the light Philip! The range of features that camera seems to really deliver on is also amazing for the price.

[@ChrisWinger]

One of my favorite mini docs of all time. Such a great person and story to capture. Something about that era of people is extremely captivating.

[@GastroFazaPL]

Please do a longer cut of this, this is amazing!

[@headsupfiction8582]

What an interesting man. I just love stories like this. I find that working on these types of mini docs really remind me why I love filming. Seeing a masterful cut like this reminds me that I have so much more to add to my own skill set. You're brilliant man.

[@philipbloom]

Thanks for the lovely comment Logan. Keep up the filming!

[@headsupfiction8582]

+Philip Bloom Thank you for inspiring me. I wonder, do you shoot b-roll after interviewing your subject or before? I suppose it depends on time, light and whatnot.

[@philipbloom]

+Logan Cameron interview first almost always. Gives you a shot list

[@scottwesinger8377]

I appreciate that you're always going above and beyond when it comes to sharing information. Great mini docu to boot!

[@erictko85]

A tribute to your subject and your storytelling skills that I was so into the piece that I didnt pay any attention to the look or quality of the FS5 at all while watching, only on the words and his work. Great film!

[@simongardiner1070]

Thank you for the brilliant window into an artist's life/process. There is no better way to review a tool by actually using it on a project! Amazing vision.

[@aronisink1]

2 true masters at the highest level of there art.. Bravo... Simply amazing cinematography and wood craftsmanship...

[@philipbloom]

+george arenas thanks george

[@aerospacenews]

Beautifully done as usual Mr. Bloom! Very keen on trying this camera out and thrilled to see what it captured in your capable hands. Your story telling is also exceptional. Happy New Year from Her Majesty's (former) Colonies. ;)

[@CrispyBacon11]

Beautiful doc. Thank you for creating and sharing.

[@thomaskaarup5461]

Got no idea if its filmed with a good or great camera, color graded or what have you, but always loved your stories, you tell with real people....

[@Pierluca72]

Wonderful, I'm so happy every time you post a new video, as I know I'm going to watch something special

[@oskarnone5288]

I just wanted to say that EVERYONE should go read the blog post he made if you have the time. I've rarely seen blog posts this detailed as Bloom's. There is a lot of good info in it and I found it quite valuable. I'm sure others will too.

[@philipbloom]

Thank you Oskar

[@CinemaScopefilms]

I'm really sorry I gave you a hard time about the whole review thing. This is much better! Thank you for sharing!

[@improver1849]

Beautiful work as usual, Phil. Your storytelling has become so naturally engrossing, I have to watch several times to evaluate the camera and lenses now. :) Interesting to see you dip into Sony lenses with the 16-35. I previously liked photos from that one on their A mount. The design is probably similar, if not the same as their Alpha line Zeiss lenses, as I still don't like their 24-70, much as I didn't on A, heh. Hope to see Sony come out with (or firmware upgrade their way to) something a little more competitive to the C300 II with great 4K in a small body. Preferably with the option of more advanced codecs such as h.265 like the (too amazing for their newness) Samsungs have. Today's massive file sizes are getting the best of me, especially as I almost always have to travel to get footage. Really have to learn a less tedious method of file management. I'm surprised Google hasn't yet cracked the code of storing the larger files in another dimension somewhere. *sigh* :D

[@angmakisig]

a short but very meaningful documentary. felt like i was in the shop and could smell the wood!

[@TheJWC56RSA]

Thanks Philip. I always look out for your stuff - always something to learn from you...

[@jharris365]

Superbly shot and what a mesmerizing story!!!!!

[@GurneetSingh63]

Paradise for my eyes. So beautiful :)

[@N2CatCrew]

Awesome film

[@philipbloom]

+N2 Cat Crew thank you

[@ozzmanzz]

Philip, the only word that comes to mind is... Beautiful.

[@jantoresrensen9592]

Thank you for this piece. I like the introduction in the beginning. The grading was very pleasing to look at as well.

[@philipbloom]

+Jan Tore Sørensen glad you like the grading!

[@SVELFARO]

Finest of work as always.

[@itchywow]

You tell the best stories Philip. Have a great 2016

[@philipbloom]

+Ryan Chatham you too Ryan

[@WayneCarterPhoto]

Stunning work Phillip and a wonderful subject

[@JoelWyncott]

This is just gorgeous. You are an incredible filmmaker.

[@NaYoGT]

Great Documentary!!! simple and effective on the continuity, great image, sound and editing. keep posting

[@RexSingleton]

Thank you for this. I felt like I knew him after watching this video. Grat work with the FS5, thinking about using as my next camera

[@ShaneAJM]

Absolutely amazing work, on both your part and Nick's. Keep it up!

[@therealsteelie]

A lovely mini documentary. Really enjoyed the story.

[@TrentPacker]

Philip Thanks for sharing your skills and giving advice. Your footage looks very nice.

[@EnzoMaisanoTELLTHESTORY]

Love your work always Philip. Interesting to see you use 16:9 as most of your work is not. Love that he was looking into the camera as well. Great work. Inspiring

[@topicruben]

That was amazing. I've been looking at this camera and huh.... I'm thinking and thinking and searching and searching. It does look interesting. Thank you for inspiring us with your amazing videos! Cheers from Italy

[@CalebMcLellan]

Beautiful! Thank you for Sharing Philip!

[@carletolucani9247]

Always love your work Philip! This was really good!

[@TannerGwaltney]

Beautiful as always! I love these mini docs.

[@awalseidu1866]

Great work my senior brother

[@DCMPhoto]

Lovely stuff Phillip - great story, looks great

[@ClintBoland]

Your very talented Philip, I enjoy following you and your work. Cheers!

[@philipbloom]

+Clint Boland thanks Clint

[@yazidyusop]

wonderful short documentary... beautifully done

[@MrDJCoulton]

This guy's a genius - I would love to purchase one of his piece.

[@RaymondToms]

Hi Philip. A great posting as always. Who said this is not a review? A real world result tells me a lot about the FS5. I love this style of doco. It would have been nice to have a tag comment from you to summarise your feelings about the FS5 as a B or even an A camera, to follow up on your introduction.

[@philipbloom]

Thanks but this isn’t a review and it can’t be a review as I was paid by Sony to make this video. This is a mini doc with an intro.

[@aujax1]

Loved the video Philip! I would love to see a tutorial on how you graded this, or how you grade with filmconvert. You get such great looks with such depth and feel.

[@jasama]

Awesome. Just lovely.

[@drpipe]

What a great interview and a very interesting guy.

[@Obinna_Okerekeocha]

AWESOMENESS AS ALWAYS FROM BLOOM!

[@breadwarandcircus]

Lovely stuff Philip. Thank you.

[@keithwu]

Incredible stuff as always. Very inspiring.

[@jippalippa]

This wood carver has got one of my favourite type of english accent. Reminds me of Roger Waters

[@silentjob]

+jippalippa you need to hear a Yorkshire accent :)

[@Dangermaniac206]

Amazing image quality... These new sensors are achieving such results that one could think this footage was taken by a Arri camera.

[@philipbloom]

+Nivek i actually shot this with 2 ALEXAS and an AMIRA but don't tell anyone...

[@Dangermaniac206]

+Philip Bloom lol I won't tell Sony I promise xD

[@timog9257]

Great!!! Like the composition and the look! Well done :)

[@MuffFlux]

Only disappointment was that it didn't go for an hour! Great work! :)

[@RonnelCuison]

Inspiring. I am new to videography and film making. This is the kind of work I want to do other than the things that I already do.

[@danieldougan269]

I have a feeling Philip could take the humblest of filming gear and make something beautiful with it. So, putting a camera in Philip's hands and just watching what he does with it is almost unfair. Put the gear in MY hands, and see if I can make something decent out of it. That's the real test.

[@philipbloom]

Daniel Dougan well I am selling my DS5 Daniel... :) Thank you though!

[@ginogmedia2012]

WOW! So good

[@MarisFreimanis]

What a skilled guy! Good job man.

[@Shemene]

I come back to remind myself of how beautiful life is through the lens

[@joshuapaul612]

Mr Bloom, I noticed something jittery in around 3:40-3:42 time in the video. Is that from the camera or something that corrupted while post-production. Just wondering. This is an amazing documentary. I'm enjoying almost every scene in this.! I wish I will be like you one day.

[@worldnomads]

Great work Philip! I was mesmerised by your story. Came for the camera review, stayed for the doco. Well done! Jesse Chard - WorldNomads.com

[@ubarhd1]

Great documentary with great artists 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@theskatebort]

Great piece. Would love to get our hands on an FS5 one of these days.

[@alexanimationgoofy]

he really deserves a longer documentary

[@MarioCastillion]

Fantastic!!!!

[@suzanne-naomi]

Loved it! This little camera is on my list.

[@blackmennewstyle]

That is a lot of subtitles :) Great job! Very fascinating old man!

[@PedroHofmann]

very nice Philip - I just bought an FS5 with the surprising nice 18-105 f4 Sony glass. Love it. Which Mic did you use on the cam? Is the short Sony MS2 worth working with?

[@simone_cioe]

Better than complete review, awesome!

[@buddyfx7026]

Whaaaat, I’m from Tulsa, OK! Where is that house at, I wanna see one of his amazing sculptures in that guys house and film it! 😆

[@swagetv]

Great Video , inspiring and beautiful to the eyes .. love it

[@vacheffvideography]

My new dream camera. Though ive got other gear I have to get before then. Sucks to wait for stuff you really want vs what you know you really need.

[@AllThingsKen]

u get it yet?

[@vacheffvideography]

Nah still working on other getting lenses.

[@danex360]

Wow just wow... So beautiful every picture on the video. Its so crisp. How did you import this quality of video into youtube? keep up the beautiful work too!!

[@philipbloom]

+Dan_VG just an h264 mp4 export. it's a crisp camera

[@GabrielLehtofilms]

Really awesome Philip!!! Great narrative and awesome takes! I should put this camera as future acquisition... Just one thing: what happened in 3:42? A defective codec during the capture or in the edition? Thank you for sharing!

[@UCreations]

Great skills, both of you!

[@Getawaymoments]

Very nice.

[@matrodmedia]

Brilliant!

[@computerblue21]

This is really beautiful, thank you so much for sharing and inspiring.

[@briarbranchwoodworks94]

Fantastic Video!

[@pkbeats]

Haha I was just looking at your channel hoping you would upload something soon and then an hour later I saw this

[@edoardomartinelli]

Amazing

[@kevinkwon4087]

beautiful

[@ColGadarby]

I was looking at the work of Griffin Hammond shooting documentary. He said he will typically shoot 8 hrs of B roll for a 5 min documentary...Seems excessive to me...How much B roll did you shoot for the Wood Carver ? (Griffin's work was good - but 8 hrs seems excessive)

[@harryc266]

Great stuff! Thumbs up!

[@SuperLinkin1]

Good vibes ! trying to do the same here with some local old artists in my country .. thanx for the inspiration though :)

[@headnorthfilms7754]

your a boss, shooting in a suit, love it

[@rdfilms9777]

What camera will your next review be about? Or did you stop doing reviews? Love this documentary BTW =D

[@Shemene]

this is amazing

[@jtouch2859]

great video .... i wish you made new one with fx6 .

[@tdcattech]

I didn't want to know about wood carving and yet I find myself completely gripped! Such nice work. Assuming I grabbed this camera straight out of the box with the kit lens, would this be suitable for run & gun. I appreciate this is not a camcorder but does it have the focus capability to track a subject in a 'walk and talk' shot without a ton of extra kit attached. Portability is key for me but the idea of the large sensor without the limitations of SLR is wonderful.

[@Stardustfallout]

incredible work my friend.

[@Gleebi]

Looks good Philip. Always a joy to watch. Can i ask one quick question? Is the fs5 worth the money? I picked up the c100mkii instead and need slight reassurance that it wasn't the completely wrong choice! Hold me...

[@philipbloom]

Hi Greg. Thanks. I don't own one but I have used one twice now. If I had the cash I would buy it. My blog post goes into lots of detail

[@Gleebi]

+Philip Bloom Thanks for the reply Philip.Great read. I think it answered my question.... While the fs5 is a great camera.... Im glad I stuck with the Canon. Im trying to chill now the fact you got back to me on youtube haha. Your a camera celebrity!

[@liannecho]

wonderful :)

[@nicoherrerai]

I really want to see your a7sll review! Love your work.☝🏻️👏🏻

[@philipbloom]

No reviews am afraid. Sorry

[@nicoherrerai]

+Philip Bloom its ok man, anyway, your job is amazing.

[@grafiti3602]

Hello Philip! I'm glad that I found your channel, by the way at 2:36 the slow motion shot was captured at what fps?

[@philipbloom]

Grafiti 360 cheers. 240fps

[@jakedfountain1]

What lense did you use for the doc? Beautiful job!

[@MattsPaddock]

Loved it!